Attributed to Alessandro Di Agostino Casolani (Italian, 1552-1606)

Study of St. Catherine of Siena and Christ. Sanguine chalk squared in black chalk on paper reinforced on additional sheet of period paper, artist name "Alessandro Casolani Sienese Painter" (translated from Italian) inscribed on verso of paper in sanguine ink, matted and floated under glass in a gilded wood frame, overall 21" x 18". Provenance: Bequeathed to a private educational institution (current owner), documentation available upon request.

Alessandro Casolani or Casolano (1552-1606) was an Italian painter of the late-Renaissance period, active mainly in Siena. He was also called Alessandro della Torre. He was born at Siena, and was the pupil of Ventura Salimbeni and of Cristoforo Roncalli. His works are principally in the churches of Siena, but are also to be found in Naples and Genoa. He also etched one plate, a Madonna. His son, Ilario (Cristoforo) Casolano was also a painter. Among the pupils of Casolani are Bernardino Capitelli, Sebastiano Folli, and Giovanni Biliverti.

Condition: Overall good condition consistent with age, paper reinforced with additional period paper, upper right corner flaw, paper hinged to mat board at top corners. Losses to gilding on frame.